I can't hear any sound!

Is the default output (the one linked to /dev/dsp) the one connected / outputting sound in osstest? If not, see here how to change that.

HDAudio: Are the jacks detected by OSS as output, actually the jacks connected to the speaker?

Ich: Setting ac97_amplifier to 0 in $OSSLIBDIR/conf/osscore.conf helped on a Gateway 4542GP notebook.

$OSSLIBDIR is typically /usr/lib/oss, and can be determined exactly by the contents of /etc/oss.conf.

Is this an hardware issue?

Are the speakers muted?

Is the soundcard connected correctly to the speakers?

Do other drivers available for your OS (e.g. ALSA for Linux, FreeBSD native) work?

I hear noises!

Many soundcards' hardware requires output mixers be set to less than maximum (60% at times).

Set vmix0-src to an higher setting.

Is the cable from the soundcard to the speakers connected correctly? Could it be too long?

Build and use OSS using the source from the public hg repository, perhaps a newer version will work better.

I can't get multiple sound clients to play on the same device!

multiple clients to same device node aren't supported on 4front's OSS for FreeBSD. It instead splits the mixing to separate devices: /dev/dsp1, /dev/dsp2, etc. Either set programs to use separate devices, or use a sound server like aRts, esd, etc.

Is vmix loaded?

If yes, Is vmix attached to the default output device? (Check if 'ossinfo -v3' shows more than one engine for the default output device).

In OSS 4.0, (Doesn't apply to build 1016:) If vmix is not attached, make sure vmix1_masterdev in $OSSLIBDIR/conf/vmix.conf is set to the output device's device index (this can be determined via 'ossinfo -a'). ($OSSLIBDIR is typically /usr/lib/oss).

In OSS 4.1, 'vmixctl' command is used instead of vmix.conf.

is vmix unmuted?

I can't get multichannel/5.1 output to play!

Some configurations require more than one cable connected to the speaker set. Make sure that as many cables as required are connected.

Some devices have the multich output at a different device node than the regular one, use /dev/dsp_multich rather than /dev/dsp as /dev/dsp_multich is always linked to the correct device.

Some devices require changing settings in the mixer (e.g. by 'ossmix' or 'ossxmix') to work.

sblive/audigy devices may require use of the sblive_digital_din (or audigy_digital_din) option in the device configuration file - see driver manpage.

In OSS 4.0, (Doesn't apply to build 1016:) Set vmix1_multich=1 in $OSSLIBDIR/conf/vmix.conf ($OSSLIBDIR is typically /usr/lib/oss).